Hikigaya looked around.
Everyone in Class B was busy with their own work.
A short distance away, Kaneda carried two bundles of firewood, chatting and laughing with several classmates as they returned to the camp. Once he put away the firewood, he was about to help others when—
"Kaneda."
Hikigaya appeared in front of him, raising his chin toward the cabin. "Bring water to the girls."
From childhood to now, Hikigaya knew what it was like to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy. He could guarantee that among people of the same age, the most irritating way to talk to someone was with this kind of commanding tone. It was even worse considering that Kaneda wasn't particularly respected within Class B.
However—
If Kaneda wanted to act like a nice guy and spy on the leader, then no matter how rude Hikigaya was, he would have to endure it. After all, Class B was a kind and welcoming place, so no one had ever treated Kaneda this way before.
And as long as Kaneda found him annoying, he'd leave a lasting impression.
"Eh... okay."
Kaneda's smile froze for a second before he forced a grin.
The two of them returned to the boiler.
"I'll leave the rest to you," Hikigaya said, picking up two plastic bottles and throwing the remaining ones to Kaneda.
As they approached the cliffside, Hikigaya turned back and asked, "Tired?"
It wasn't far, so it shouldn't be exhausting.
After all, he had made the trip himself before.
"No, it's fine," Kaneda replied, shaking his head with a smile while inwardly cursing.
Seriously, how was this guy even in Class B? If it were any other class, Hikigaya would have been isolated by now.
"I see," Hikigaya nodded, handing him the two plastic bottles. "Then let's switch."
"Eh?"
Kaneda blinked in confusion. "No, I can handle this."
Step Two: Steal the Credit
Nothing was more annoying than a leader who took credit for someone else's work.
"What are you thinking?" Hikigaya scoffed. "If Ichinose and the others see me leaving all the work to you, what do you think they'll say? Hurry up and give me your backpack."
"Well..."
Kaneda hesitated before reluctantly taking off his backpack. His perfect smile twitched slightly. "Alright."
What a complete asshole.
How was this guy in Class B? He was clearly way better than Hikigaya.
Kaneda was fuming.
They tied the safety rope and walked down the stairs, handing the drinking water to the girls. Several people noticed that Kaneda was only holding two bottles, but since he was from Class C, no one said anything.
Feeling the strange looks directed at him, Kaneda clenched his fists in frustration.
This Hikigaya is so manipulative.
Pretending to be helpful just to get on the girls' good side? Pathetic.
If it weren't for Class C, Hikigaya wouldn't dare act so arrogant.
As they returned to the cliff, Hikigaya tied the safety rope and climbed up the stairs. The movement made his sports clothes tighten against his thighs, and a rectangular imprint in his pocket caught Kaneda's attention.
At that moment—
"Oh, right."
Hikigaya turned around, as if remembering something, and stepped back onto the ground.
"I forgot to ask earlier. Go check if the girls need anything else. I'll give you the honor of asking them."
"...What?"
Kaneda quickly nodded and returned to the cabin. But when he came back—
Hikigaya was gone.
"...Suspicious."
Kaneda narrowed his eyes.
That rectangular imprint—was it a key card?
How could Hikigaya be so careless about something that important?
Too suspicious.
Day Five of the Exam
Early in the morning, Kaneda walked to the boiler with a washbasin, smiling as he spoke.
"Hikigaya-kun, the handkerchief has been washed."
"Took you long enough."
Hikigaya lazily picked up a handkerchief and complained.
In this heat, a handkerchief was a necessity. He remembered that a girl had originally been in charge of this task, but Kaneda was always inserting himself into every situation. Instead of acting like a spy, he seemed more like a mobile helper, like Shibata.
"Sorry, sorry," Kaneda laughed. "I'll go hand them out. If you need anything, just let me know! Don't be shy, Hikigaya-kun. It'll make me feel better."
Hikigaya casually waved him off.
Maybe he should just overload Kaneda with work. That way, he'd be too exhausted to spy on the leader.
Yes.
That would also reduce Hikigaya's workload.
Not a bad idea.
The Ultimate Workload Strategy
People who thought they were smart always tried to test and confirm their theories.
Hikigaya wasn't sure what Kaneda's test would be, but he had been sitting here the entire time, so there was no way Kaneda could have found anything.
Just in case, though—
It was best to keep him busy.
Hikigaya sat by the stone, staring at the ants with dead fish eyes. He could even see The Art of War in their movements.
After all, he had done his part.
He couldn't be sure he had changed Kaneda's mind, but as long as he covered his tracks, it was fine.
But...
Why hadn't Kaneda made a move yet?
That wasn't right.
Guys like him, who thought they were clever, always believed they could see through others.
I guess I'm not Zhuge Wolong after all.
Just then—
"Hikigaya-kun."
Kaneda walked up to the boiler with a curious look. "Spacing out? Are you tired?"
"No, what is it?" Hikigaya glanced at him casually.
You're finally here, you sneaky little thief.
"Nothing."
Kaneda tossed firewood into the fire and smiled. "Kanzaki and the others are resting, so I came to see if you needed help."
"You finally understand your role."
Hikigaya nodded.
No matter how he treated Kaneda, the guy had to endure it.
If Hikigaya were ever placed under a leader like himself, he'd probably bash their head in with a vase.
In other words, Kaneda's tolerance proved he was a spy.
"Haha, Hikigaya-kun, you're hilarious," Kaneda said, though his smile twitched.
Hikigaya wanted to see what this thief was up to.
After a long silence—
"It's so hot."
Kaneda wiped his forehead with a dirty handkerchief.
Then, hesitantly—
"Uh... Hikigaya-kun, can I borrow your handkerchief?"
Hikigaya paused, reaching into his pocket.
His fingers brushed against soft cotton.
He immediately became alert.
"...No."
Kaneda's expression stiffened.
"As a grown man, don't you feel embarrassed borrowing a handkerchief?"
"...Fair point," Kaneda muttered.
But inside—
He was laughing.
Class B is so naive. This is too easy.
Freedom at Last
On the morning of the sixth day, Hikigaya drank his last MAX coffee.
"Kaneda, come here."
Kaneda approached the boiler.
"You're in charge today. Got it?"
Kaneda forced a smile.
Standing near the fire in the middle of summer was hell. He had no idea how Hikigaya endured it for five days.
Just then—
"Hikigaya!"
Ichinose walked over, her voice serious.
"We can't keep forcing Kaneda to do this."
Hiyori nodded hesitantly.
"Kaneda has already been kicked out of his class. Making him work for us isn't right."
Oh no.
I'm going to be freed, aren't I?
Hikigaya glanced at Kaneda.
That shameless guy was smiling as if he were a saint.
Thanks to Kaneda's perfect explanation—
I'm free!
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